U.S. patent application number 12/129602 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-08 for lacrosse head having an ergonomic throat.
Invention is credited to Paul Gait.
Application Number | 20090011874 12/129602 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40074429 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090011874 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gait; Paul |
January 8, 2009 |
Lacrosse Head Having an Ergonomic Throat
Abstract
An ergonomic throat for a lacrosse head is disclosed having a
greater ergonomic shape and design to provide for greater control
and maneuverability of the lacrosse head in combination with a
stick.
Inventors: |
Gait; Paul; (Altamont,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WADDEY & PATTERSON, P.C.
1600 DIVISION STREET, SUITE 500
NASHVILLE
TN
37203
US
|
Family ID: |
40074429 |
Appl. No.: |
12/129602 |
Filed: |
May 29, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60940664 |
May 29, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/513 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 49/035 20151001;
A63B 49/03 20151001; A63B 60/00 20151001; A63B 59/20 20151001; A63B
2210/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/513 |
International
Class: |
A63B 59/02 20060101
A63B059/02 |
Claims
1. A lacrosse head comprising: a frame with a scoop attached
distally to two sidewalls with the scoop and sidewalls having a
front and a back; and an ergonomic shortened throat with a front
and a back attached proximally to the two sidewalls with the
shortened throat having a contoured surface.
2. The lacrosse head of claim 1 wherein the contoured surface
comprises a concave surface.
3. The lacrosse head of claim 2 wherein the concave surface is
sized to fit a user's forefinger.
4. The lacrosse head of claim 1 further comprising an ergonomic
ridge.
5. A lacrosse head comprising: a frame with a scoop attached
distally to two sidewalls with the scoop and sidewalls having a
front and a back; and an ergonomic throat with a front and a back
attached proximally to the two sidewalls with the throat having a
contoured surface on at least the back of the throat.
6. The lacrosse head of claim 5 wherein the ergonomic throat
further comprises one or more ergonomic ridges.
7. The lacrosse head of claim 6 wherein the ergonomic throat
comprises at least two ergonomic ridges and at least two contoured
surfaces.
8. The lacrosse head of claim 5 wherein the ergonomic throat
provides an improved grip.
9. The lacrosse head of claim 5 wherein the ergonomic throat is
molded with the frame of the lacrosse head.
10. A lacrosse head comprising: a frame with a scoop attached
distally to two sidewalls with the scoop and sidewalls having a
front and a back; and an ergonomic throat with a front and a back
attached proximally to the two sidewalls with the throat having a
contoured surface and a throat termination point; an extension
extending from the throat to a point beyond the throat termination
point.
11. The lacrosse head of claim 10 further comprising contours on
the extension.
12. The lacrosse head of claim 11 further comprising one or more
ridges on the extension.
13. The lacrosse head of claim 10 wherein the extension extends
from the rear of the throat.
14. The lacrosse head of claim 10 wherein the extension has an
interior surface contoured to about the exterior surface of a
lacrosse shaft.
15. The lacrosse head of claim 12 further comprising three ridges
spanning the throat and the extension.
16. A lacrosse head comprising: a frame with a scoop attached
distally to two sidewalls with the scoop and sidewalls having a
front and a back, an ergonomic throat with a front and a back
attached proximally to the two sidewalls with the throat having a
contoured surface and a throat termination point; and a removably
attachable extension for extending from the throat to a point
beyond the throat termination point.
17. The lacrosse head of claim 16 wherein the removably attachable
extension comprises ergonomic ridges and contours.
18. The lacrosse head of claim 16 wherein the removably attachable
extension is attachable to the throat.
19. The lacrosse head of claim 16 wherein the removably attachable
extension is attachable to a lacrosse shaft.
20. The lacrosse head of claim 16 wherein the removably attachable
extension attaches to be in communication with the rear of the
throat.
21. The lacrosse head of claim 16 wherein the extension further
comprises a two piece design extension to attach around a perimeter
of a lacrosse stick.
22. The lacrosse head of claim 16 wherein the extension further
comprises an extension with an opening to fit about a perimeter of
a lacrosse stick.
Description
[0001] This Utility patent application claims benefit of previously
filed provisional patent application No. 60/940,664 filed May 29,
2007 entitled Lacrosse Head Having an Improved Throat.
[0002] All patents and publications described or discussed herein
are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Technical Field
[0004] The present invention relates to a lacrosse head having an
improved throat for use with a lacrosse stick. More particularly
the present invention relates to an improved throat of the lacrosse
stick allowing a player to have better grip and tactile feel of the
lacrosse stick and the lacrosse head wherein the stick joins to the
socket of a lacrosse head. The invention also includes a strung
lacrosse head with the improved throat used in conjunction with a
lacrosse stick.
[0005] 2. Background of the Art
[0006] The lacrosse game originates with the American and Canadian
Native Americans. Traditionally, the lacrosse stick has a handle
portion attached to a head with the head consisting generally of a
frame and a pocket. It will be appreciated by those in ordinary
skill in the art and a well constructed lacrosse head is essential
in both the general play by and especially in success of
participants of the sport of lacrosse. Generally the lacrosse head
can be described as a basket that attaches at the end of the handle
and is used to catch, transport, and deliver the ball as desired.
The lacrosse head not only catches the ball and holds the ball
during play, but is also used during defensive maneuvers and to
obtain the ball during a face off. As such, the lacrosse head is
subjected to both large and varying forces during the game
resulting in the lacrosse heads typically formed of some type of
plastic material which is rigid although can slightly deform so as
not to crack or break under the typical stresses experienced during
participation in a lacrosse game.
[0007] Many attempts have been made to design lacrosse head so they
may easily pick up balls and usually control balls better than the
lacrosse heads of the prior art. Two examples of such heads are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,935,026 and 5,651,549 issued to Dill
et al. These two patents disclose a lacrosse head in which the
majority of the head, all the head except the head proximal to the
throat lies on a plane below the stick.
[0008] Another example of lacrosse head is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,568,925. This patent discloses an upper and lower wall in
which the upper wall and lower wall curve away from the plane and
have a curved base and then curve back toward the plane.
[0009] Unfortunately, the prior art lacrosse heads do not provide
features and/or improvements for the holding of the lacrosse stick
wherein the throat is designed to aid in holding the lacrosse
stick. Furthermore, as the game of lacrosse has developed, players
tend to hold the lacrosse stick with one hand and near as possible
to the pocket containing the lacrosse ball with the players often
having portions of their gloved hands contacting the lacrosse head
of the lacrosse stick. As lacrosse, especially men's lacrosse, is a
contact sport, adequate grip and ability to secure the lacrosse
stick in the gloved hand is paramount so that the player does not
lose the ball or combination ball and stick together upon moving or
being contacted by a defensive player. Furthermore, goalies tend to
hold their lacrosse stick near the throat area so as to quickly
able to respond and move the enlarged goalie lacrosse head and
blocking shots.
[0010] What is desired therefore is a lacrosse head having an
improved throat which can provide better grip and/or holding by the
lacrosse player. Indeed, a combination of characteristics including
a lacrosse head having an improved throat have been found to be
necessary in improving the feel and holding of a lacrosse stick
during the game of lacrosse. Also desired is a lacrosse head with
an ergonomic throat being attached to a lacrosse stick.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention provides an ergonomic throat for
lacrosse head which is uniquely capable of being easily held and
providing better feel of the lacrosse stick.
[0012] More particularly, the inventive throat may be substantially
shortened so that a player may hold more closely to the connection
point between the throat of a lacrosse head and the lacrosse stick
which engages the throat. Furthermore, the throat may have a
comfort grip including an ergonomic design so that a player may
hold closely to the throat and/or over the throat with specific
indentations for the fingers of the player.
[0013] The inventive throat for lacrosse head may be shortened to
provide a closer grip to the pocket area of the lacrosse stick or
in further embodiments may include ridges so that a player may hold
closely at the head of the lacrosse stick and maintain a secure
grip. In yet in further embodiments, the throat for the lacrosse
head may include an extension for gripping a lacrosse stick. In
some head designs having the inventive throat, an ergonomic
extension may be removably attachable to the lacrosse head and/or
lacrosse stick.
[0014] Advantageously, the ergonomic throat for a lacrosse head may
be molded with the initial molding of the head to create an
ergonomic throat wherein a player may maintain greater control,
comfort, or grasp of the stick during the stresses imparted during
the play of lacrosse.
[0015] An object of the invention therefore is an ergonomic throat
for lacrosse head which enables it to be more comfortable to
hold.
[0016] Another object of the invention is an ergonomic d throat for
lacrosse head having a shortened comfort grip.
[0017] Still another object of the invention is an ergonomic throat
for lacrosse head having indentations for at least one finger.
[0018] Yet another object of the invention is an ergonomic throat
for lacrosse stick providing for multiple indentions for the
fingers of the player so that a player might grasp the lacrosse at
the throat close to the pocket.
[0019] Still another object of the invention is an ergonomic throat
for a lacrosse stick including an extension to aid in gripping the
lacrosse stick near the throat of the lacrosse head.
[0020] Another object of the invention is an ergonomic throat for a
lacrosse head including an extension which may be removably
attachable to the lacrosse head and/or stick.
[0021] These aspects and others that will become apparent to the
artisan upon review of the following description can be
accomplished by providing an ergonomic throat for a lacrosse head
which attaches to a lacrosse stick to improve the playability of
the lacrosse head and stick combination.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of a goalie
lacrosse head having an ergonomic throat.
[0023] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 from a
close-up view.
[0024] FIG. 3 is an illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 1 from a
side view.
[0025] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a lacrosse head having an
embodiment of the ergonomic throat of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 5 is an illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 4 from a
rear view.
[0027] FIG. 6 is an illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 4 from a
side view.
[0028] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a lacrosse head having the
ergonomic throat of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 8 is an illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 7 from a
rear view.
[0030] FIG. 9 is an illustration of the embodiment of FIG. 7 from a
side view.
[0031] FIG. 10 is an illustration of an embodiment of the present
invention having an attachable ergonomic extension.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Referring now to FIGS. 1-10, there are shown multiple
embodiments of lacrosse heads having an ergonomic throat.
Generally, lacrosse heads are made of a polymer-type material
including plastic, nylons, and are preferably molded. In multiple
embodiments, the ergonomic throat is molded with the molding of the
lacrosse head, whereas in other embodiments, the ergonomic portion
may be molded separately.
[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown generally at 10
an embodiment of a lacrosse head having ergonomic throat 12.
Additionally, lacrosse head 10 includes sides walls 14 and 16, and
scoop 18, with the embodiment picture in FIGS. 1-3 preferably used
by a goalie. Ergonomic throat 12 includes handle receiving section
20 for the attachment of a handle thereto.
[0034] Ergonomic throat 12 of lacrosse head 10 as embodied in FIGS.
1-3, includes a shorter length with contour 22 and ergonomic ridge
24 so that a player may grip closely to throat 12 and have his or
her hand comfortingly surrounding both the lacrosse stick (shaft
not shown) and a portion of ergonomic throat 12. Advantageously,
ergonomic throat 12 is shorter than throats of the prior art, thus
allowing players to maintain their hands in a position more near
lacrosse head 10, and thus, have greater control. Furthermore,
ergonomic throat 12 with both a contour and ergonomic ridge provide
a shape allowing a player to grip high on a complete lacrosse stick
without the player's hands sliding into the pocket area of the
lacrosse head. Preferably, as embodied in FIGS. 1-3, ergonomic
throat 12 includes contoured surface 22 which is concaved leading
to ergonomic ridge 24. As such, with the shortened grip and single
ergonomic ridge combined with the concave nature of the throat, a
user may grasp closely on the surface of the improved throat while
maintaining great control of a lacrosse stick while manipulating
the lacrosse head and will be substantially precludes from sliding
upward on the lacrosse head by the ergonomic ridge.
[0035] Most often, improved throat 12 providing for the shortened
grip, may molded with the lacrosse head during the molding of the
lacrosse head. As such, the ergonomic throat may be described as an
integral part of lacrosse head in this embodiment and is
essentially fixed to the lacrosse head.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, there is at numeral 10 a second
embodiment of a lacrosse head having ergonomic throat 12. In this
embodiment, throat 12 is not shorted as previously discussed with
FIGS. 1-3 but rather includes multiple ergonomic ridges 24 and
contoured surfaces 22 so that a player may closely grip lacrosse
head 10 with their fingers following within the ridges and contours
on ergonomic throat 12.
[0037] Preferably, ergonomic throat 12 as embodied in FIGS. 4-6,
has an about even length with throat termination point 26 which is
about even when comparing the front of ergonomic throat 12 and the
back of ergonomic throat 12. More specifically, the back of
ergonomic throat 12, as illustrated, may include two ergonomic
ridges 24 and two contoured surfaces 22 so that a player may
closely grip lacrosse head 10 with their first and second fingers
within the ridges and on the contours of the ergonomic throat.
[0038] The use of multiple contour surfaces 22 and ergonomic ridges
24 allows a player to closely hold and maintain a grip upon
lacrosse head 10 and furthermore may provide many beneficial
features during game play. While not illustrated, a player may
grasp the head attached to his stick with one hand with their
gloved fingers over contoured surfaces 22 and maintain a better
grip than of the prior art lacrosse heads with throats not having a
contoured surface or ergonomic ridges. In further embodiments not
illustrated, there may be a greater or lesser series of ergonomic
ridges and contoured surfaces so that the ergonomic throat area
corresponds to more than two fingers for grasping. Furthermore, the
ridges and contours may span to the front of the throat.
[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, there is at numeral 10 a
lacrosse head having further embodiments of ergonomic throat 12. As
is illustrated, throat extension 18 extends beyond throat
termination point 26 and further provides for an improved area for
grasping by a user. In this embodiment, ergonomic throat 12
includes three ridges 24 as well as multiple contoured surfaces 22
and may include more or less ridges in further embodiments. More
specifically, ergonomic throat 12 of the embodiment as illustrated
in FIGS. 7-9, generally includes two ergonomic ridges on extension
18 and one ergonomic ridge above throat termination point 26 so
that a user may grasp up high on lacrosse head 10 when attached to
a shaft (not shown). In further embodiments, extension 18 may be
longer or shorter and include varying amounts of contours or
ergonomic ridges, and furthermore, may comprise a design to
encompass a greater portion of an attached lacrosse stick.
Generally, as embodied in FIGS. 7-9, extension 18 is substantially
about at the rear of ergonomic throat 12 and does not extend around
to cover either the sides or the front of an attached stick.
[0040] Extension 18 includes interior surface 25 which may be
contoured to the exterior shape of a lacrosse shaft. In additional
embodiments as illustrated in FIG. 10, extension 18 may be
removably attachable and can snap into position about an attached
lacrosse shaft (not shown) or alternatively connect to throat 12.
In further embodiments not illustrated, extension 18 may be a two
piece extension to fit about the perimeter of a lacrosse shaft.
Additionally, the extension could also be of a one piece design
with an opening to fit a lacrosse shaft there through.
[0041] Advantageously, removable extension 18 as embodied in FIG.
10, may provide a user with the option of including throat
extension 18 with a completed lacrosse stick so as to better tailor
the features of a lacrosse stick to the user's preferences. Yet
further, removable ergonomic extension 18 may be of a larger or
smaller size and may encompass a greater surface area of an
attached lacrosse shaft spanning from the rear of the shaft and
possibly including the sides or a portion of the front.
[0042] The use of these embodiments for the ergonomic throat for
lacrosse stick provide better tactile feel control and maneuvering
of the lacrosse head as required by the fast pace of lacrosse. As
such, this present invention provides an invaluable feature as a
player can only perform as fast as they can manipulate a lacrosse
stick.
[0043] Accordingly, by the practice of the present invention, an
improved throat for lacrosse head having unrecognized
characteristics is created. The improved throat for lacrosse head
provides for greater control and maneuverability of the lacrosse
head resulting in improved performance during game play. The
disclosure of all cited patents and publications referred to in
this application are incorporated herein by reference.
[0044] The above description is intended to enable the person
skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is not intended to
detail all the possible variations and modifications that are
apparent to the skilled worker upon reading the description. It is
intended, however, that all such modifications and variations be
included within the scope of the invention that is defined by the
following claims. The claims are intended to cover the indicated
elements and steps that any arrangement or sequence that is
effective to meet the objectives intended for the invention, unless
the context specifically indicate the contrary.
* * * * *